Intervention by Minister María Paula Mac Loughlin

April 13

Madam Chair,

Allow me first to thank you for convening this first informal meeting to discuss in a preliminary way, as set out in Resolution 71/82, aspects related to a third agenda item of the Disarmament Commission, namely "the preparation of recommendations to promote the implementation of transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities with a view to preventing an arms race in outer space”.

Argentina recognizes the common interest of all humanity and the sovereign right of every State to participate in the exploration and use of outer space for exclusively peaceful purposes and is convinced of the benefits that its use can bring to human development.
Argentina maintains the non-militarization of outer space and, as a patrimony of humanity, supports its strict use for the improvement of living conditions and peace among the peoples that inhabit our planet, reaffirming in the understanding of resolution 71/31 of the General Assembly "the right of all countries to explore and use outer space in accordance with international law, reaffirming also that preventing an arms race in outer space is in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and is a an indispensable condition for promoting and strengthening international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes "

That is why Argentina emphasizes that the prevention of the arms race in outer space and the prohibition of the placement or use of weapons in outer space would avoid a serious danger to international peace and security. In this regard, Argentina supports, as a step towards that goal, the adoption in the framework of the First Committee of a resolution establishing a Commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space. Argentina also supports the negotiation within the framework of the Conference on Disarmament of a treaty prohibiting the emplacement of weapons in outer space. As long as this does not take place, international action on transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities is undoubtedly desirable and necessary.

Madam Chair,

The Delegation of Argentina believes that the conclusions and recommendations of the Group of Governmental Experts on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space provided a good basis for the deliberations of the Commission on this subject  we hope will be incorporated into the program of its next cycle triennial.

Thank you very much